Adjustable platen for addressing machines



Decn 3, 1929., P. A. GOLLNICK ET AL '1,737,878

ADJUSTABLE PLATEN FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Filed Nov. 17, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l www DeC- 3, 1929 P. A. GoLLNlcK ET AL 1,737,878

ADJUSTABLE PLATEN FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Filed NOV. 17. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheetl 2 De@ 3 1929- P. A. GoLLNlcK ET AL 1,737,873

ADJUSTABLE PLATEN FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITEDl STATES PATE-NT OFFICE PAUL A. GOLLNICK, CLIFFORD E, IVES, FRANK W. BRODERICK, AND FRED C. AREY,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS ASSIGNMENTS, TO SELECTOGRAP ADJUSTABLE PLATEN FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Application filed November 17, 1928. Serial No. 320,110.

This invention relates to printing mechanisms and more particularly to addressing machines employing a platen, known as an anvil, for supporting the envelope or other sheet material While the impression is .made from a stencil or other form.

Many of the printing mechanisms heretofore in use employed platens havingba positive action which did not permit any variation in the length of their strokes, that is, they moved a predetermined distance, irrespective of the thickness of the work operated upon, with the result that the impressions varied with the thickness of the sheets.

In addressing machines, particularly those wherein the envelopes are fed manually, it is preferable to place a stack of envelopes on the platen and then remove the top envelope after each'impression instead of feeding them one by one to the printing position. Inasmuch as the stack of envelopes diminishes in size with the removal of the top envelope after each impression, it is desirable to have a platen which will always exert a uniform pressure irrespective of the thickness of the Work operated upon.

The main objects of this invention-are to provide-an improved form of platen; to provide improved means for positively supporting'the platen so as to secure it against any yielding action during the printing operation; to provide improved mechanism for actuating said supporting means to move said platen toward the impression means; to provide improved means for guiding the platen; to provide improved means for driving said actuating mechanism; to provide improved means for yieldingly connecting said actuating mechanism with said supporting means so as to permit automatic variation of the platens stroke to compensate for work of different thicknesses; and to provide a device of this kind which is simple in construction and operation. An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown inthe accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1,is a fragmentary side elevation of a printing mechanism having an improved i platen; certain portions being shown in section and a stack of envelopes being illustrated in dotted outline; the platen being shown in its lowermost position.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing the platen in an elevated position.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

5 is a perspective of the platen.

Flg. 6 is a fragmentary View, showing the driving means and actuating mechanism in one position in elevation and in a changed position in dotted outline.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the parts in still another position.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective of the driving means.

Platens embodying this invention may be applied to power driven and hand operated addressing machines. The common-form of addressing machine to which this invention may be applied includes a horizontal guide! way along which the stencils are moved'to a printing position between an impression element and a platen. The impression element is generally located above the guideway and the platen is usually located below the guideway for lifting the envelopes or other sheets into contact with the stencil.

Inasmuch as this invention relates particularly to the platen and its operating mechanism, only that part of an addressing machine which is Abelieved necessary to a complete understanding ofthe invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the construction shown, the addressing machine to which this invention cludes a guideway l, mounted on a frame 2, above a movable platen 3, which is supported on improved means 4 adapted to be actuated for adjusting the platen by an improved operating mechanism 5.

The guideway l is disposed horizontally for supporting stencils 6, which are adapted to be fed step-by-step to a printing position beneath an impression member, not shown.

In the construction shown, the frame 2 includes a housing 7, in which a portion of the operating mechanism 5 is located, and a is applied inbase 8 which supports the means 4. The housing 7 includes a rear wall 9 and a side wall 10. Formed on the base 8. is a rail 11 having a bearing plate 12 rigidly secured to the upper face thereof for slidably supporting the means 4, which actuates the platen 3. Mounted on one end of the plate 12, is a butl'er 12.1 for limiting the return stroke of the support 4.

The platen 3 is located adjacent the printing point in the guideway 1 and comprises a hollow member having end walls 13 and 14 and a substantially flat top bearing surface 15, which is adapted to support a stack of envelopes 16 or other sheet material to be printed.

The top of the platen 3 is recessed, as shown at 17, so as not to strike the inner rail of the guideway 1.

Formed at the bottom of the platen 3, is a pair of inclined outwardly projecting rails 18 adapted to slidably engage the supporting means 4, whereby a horizontal reciprocation of the supporting means 4 effects a vertical adjustment of the platen.

The platen 3 is guided in its vertical movement Iby an arm 19, having one end thereof pivotally secured to a lug 20 on'the frame wall 10. The opposite end of the arm 19 is pivotally secured to the platen 3 by a pin 21, so as to permit vertical movement of the platen while securing the platen against appreciable endwise movement during the operation of the supporting means 4.

The supporting means 4 is Wedge shaped so that, when it is shifted horizontally by the mechanism 5, it raises the platen.

In the form illustrated, the supporting means 4 comprises a pair of sections 22 and 23, which are rigidly secured together by rivets 24 and 25. Formed in the lower edges of the sections 22 and 23, are guideways 2G adapted to slidably engage the bearing plate 12. Formed in the upper edges of the sections 22 and 23, are inclined guideways 27, which slidably support the rails 18 of the platen 3: 'Ihe guideways 27 provide cam faces for effecting the desired raising of the platen.

The support 4 is normally retracted by means of a spring 28, so as to permit the platen to move downwardly by gravity away from the stencil guideway 1. Une' end o the spring 28 is secured to the wall 1() and the other end thereof is secured to the section 22 by a pin 29.

Formed on the rear end of the rivet 25, is a cylindrical head 30 having a slot 31 for slidably receiving one end of a rod .32, which supports a helical spring bearing between washers 34 loosely mounted on the rod 32. Washers 35 are supported on the ends of the rod 32 and are secured against accidental removal by cotter pins 36. The rod 32 and spring 3-3 provide a yielding connection between the supporting means 4 and the improved operating mechanism 5 so as to perf mit a variable stroke of the platen 3.

In the embodiment shown, the improved mechanism 5 includes an oscillating arm 37, which is intermittently actuated by a reciprocable driving member 38.

The arm 37 is located within the housing 7 and one end thereof is pivotally secured to the rear wall 9 by a pin 39. Formed in the free end of the arm 37, is an eyelet 4() for slidably receiving the rod 32.

The arm 37 carries a detent 41, which is pivotally secured thereto by a pin 42. Mounted on the outer end of the detent 41, is a roller 43, adapted to engage a part of the driving member as hereinafter described.

Formed on the arm 37, is a stop 44, against which the detent is yieldingly urged by means of a spring 45 for holding the roller 43 in the path of the driving member 38 during a certain part of the latters stroke.g

In the form shown, the member 38 extends through a slot 46 in the housing wall 10. The outer end of the member 38 is connected to a power driven 'or hand operated mechanism, not shown, whereby it is reciprocated. Mounted on the inner end of the member 38, is a pin 47, which slidably engages a guide slot 48 formed in the rear wall 9.

The rear portion of the member 38 is enlarged so as to provide a shoulder 49, which is adapted to engage the roller 43, when the member 38 moves to the left as viewed in Figs. 1, 3, G and 7, thereby actuating the arm 37. Formed on the inner extremity of the member 38, is a cam 50, which is adapted to engage the roller 43 upon the return stroke of the member 38, thereby moving the detent 41 downwardly against the action of the spring 45, as shown in Fig. 7.

In operation,the stencils 6 are fed stepby lstep along the guideway 1, so as to successively reaeh the printing position above the platen 3. IVhen the member 38 reaches the limit of its return stroke, as shown in Fig. 1, the spring 45 draws the detent 41 upwardly, so as to move the roller 43 into the path of movement of the shoulder 49.

Upon the effective stroke of the member 38, `the shoulder 49 engages the roller 43, thereby moving the arm 37 toward the platen so as to actuate the support 4 against the action of the spring 28. Vhen the platen 3 has been raised a sutiicient distance to bring the top envelope into firm contact with the stencil, any continued movement of the arm 37 merely compresses the spring 33 without effecting further raising of the platen.

During the effective stroke of the member 38, the roller` 43 moves upwardly, by reason of the oscillating movement of the arm 37 and, when the member 38 reaches the limit of its operative stroke,'the roller 43 becomes disengaged from the shoulder 49.

After the disengagement of the roller 43 from the shoulder 49, the arm 37 is quickly retracted to the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 6, under the action of the spring 28.

During the return movement of the arm 37, the roller 43 rides on the upper edge of the member 38, as' shown in Figs. 3 and 6, unt-il it drops over the cam 50. Upon the return stroke of the member 38, the caml 50 forcesl the roller 43 downwardly so as to cause the roller to engage the lower edge of the member 38, as shown in Fig. 7.

lVith this improved construction and arrangement of parts, a variable movement is imparted to the platen to accommodate envelopes of different thicknesses so that the impressions are always uniform, irrespective of the number of envelopes or sheets supported between the platen and the stencil. The platenis positively supported at every position in its stroke so as to be secured against any yielding action during the printing.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted Without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a movable platen, means for positively supporting saidplaten in any position of its stroke, said means being reciprocable in a straight line movement and being adapted to adjust said platen, mechanism foractuating said means, and a yielding connection between said supporting means and said mechanism to permit a variable movement of said platen.

2. A device of the class described comprising a reciprocable platen, means for positively supporting said platen in any position of its stroke, said means being reciprocable in a straight line movement transverse to the movement of said platen and being adapted to'l adjust said platen, mechanism for actuating said means, and a yielding connection between said supporting meansl land said mechanism to permit a variable movement of said platen.

3. A device, of the class described comprising a vertically movable platen, means for positively supporting said platen in any position ot its stroke, said means being reciprocable horizontally for adjusting said platen,

mechanism for actuating said means, and a yielding connection between said supporting means and s aid mechanism to permit a'variable movement of said platen;

4. A device of the class described comprising a vertically reciprocable platen, horizontally reciprocable means for positively supporting said platen in any position of its stroke, mechanism for moving said means in one direction to raise said platen, and a yielding connection between said supporting means and said mechanism to permit a variable movement of said platen.

5. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a movable platen, a cam slidably mounted on said frame and adapted to 'move said platen in one direction, mechanism for actuating said cam, and a yielding connection between said cam and said mechanism to permit a variable movement of said platen.

6. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a vertically reciprocable platen, a cam positively supporting said platen in any position in itsstroke, said cam being slidable horizontally on said frame for raising said platen, mechanism for actuating said cam, and a yielding connection between said cam and said mechanism to permit a variable movement of said platen.

7. A device of the class described comprising a movable. platen, means for positively su pporting said platen in any position of its stroke, an arm pivotally secured to said platen for guiding said platen, said means being reciprocable in a straight line movement and being adapted to adjustsaid platen, mechanism for actuating said means, and a yielding connection between said supporting means and said mechanism to permit a variable movement of said platen.

8. A device ofthe class described comprising a base, a support slidably mounted on said base, a cam face on said support, a platen supported on said cam face and adapted to be moved thereby, mechanismfor actuating said support, and a yielding connection between said support and said mechanism.

9. A device of the class described comprising a base, a support slidable horizontally on said base and having an inclined cam face, a platen supported on said cam face and adapted to be raised by the movement of said support in one direction, mechanism for actuating said support, and a yielding connection between said` support and said mechamsm.

10. A device of the class described comprising a base, a support slidable horizontally on said base and having an inclined cam face, a platen supported on said cam face and adapted to be raised by the movement of said support in one direct-ion, mechanism for actuating said support, resilient means adapted to normally urge said support in the 0pposite direction, and a yielding connection between said support and said mechanism.

11. A-device of the class described comprising a frame having a base, a support slidable horizontally an inclined cam face, a platen supported on said cam face vand adapted to be raised by the movement of said support in one direcon said base and having` llO tion, a guide arm pivotally secured to said platen and said frame, mechanism for actuating said support, a spring normally urging said support in the opposite direction, and a yielding connection between said support and said mechanism.

12. A device of the class described comprising a. platen, a slidable support for said platen, an oscillating arm for actuating said support, and a yielding connection between said arm and said support.

13. A device of the class described comprising a movable platen, an oscillating arm for operating said platen, a detent pivoted on said arm, and operating means adapted to engage said detent for moving said arm.

14. A device ofthe class describedcomprising a movable platen, an oscillating arm for actuating said platen, a reciprocable operating member, and a detent pivoted on said arm and adapted to operatively connect said arm and said member upon the movement of said member in one direction, said detent being adapted to slidably engage said member upon the return stroke of said member.

15. A device of the class described comprising a movable platen, an oscillating arm for actuating said platen, a reciprocable operating member, a shoulder on said member, a detent pivoted on said arm and adapted to engage said shoulder for operatively connecting said member with said arm, and a spring arranged to urge said detent into the path of said shoulder upon the movement of said member in one direction.

16. A device of the class described comprising a movable platen, an oscillating arm for actuating said platen, a reciprocable operating member, a shoulder on said member, a det-ent pivoted on said arm and ada ted to engage said shoulder for operative y connecting said member with said arm, a spring arranged to urge said detent into the path of said shoulder upon the movement of said member in one direction, and a cam on said member adapted to move said detent out of the path of said shoulder upon the return stroke of said member.

Signed at Chicago this 15th day of November, 1928, by said PAUL A. GOLLNICK, CLIF- FORD E. IvEs, and FRANK W. BRoDERIcK.

PAUL A. GOLLNICK. CLIFFORD E. IVES. FRANK W. BRODERICK.

Signed at Jeannette, Pennsylvania, this 13th-day of November, 1928, by said FRED C.

AREY

FRED C. AREY., 

